Page 58 of Forever in the Country

Not knowing whether to laugh or be horrified, I grab my purse and keys and head to my car because I just cannot believe…

Jumping into the driver’s seat, I don’t wait for the air conditioning to kick on before I’m backing out of the driveway and heading down the road. Her house isn’t far—nothing in Clementine Creek is—but it still feels like an eternity before I’m pulling up in front of the little white house.

Miss Thelma sits in a rocking chair on the porch, and even without opening my mouth I know it’s true.

“I cannot believe you’re in on what Case and Otto are doing with that account.”

Her eyes widen with faux innocence as I hustle up the short walk and drop into the other chair—the one Sorren had been in in the video.

“What ever do you mean?” She flutters her lashes and I shake my head.

“He’s going to be so mad.”

“Are you mad because y’all are finally gettin’ busy and you don’t want to share?”

My mouth drops open, but I have no idea why I’m surprised. This woman is nothing but trouble.

Lovable trouble—but trouble, nonetheless.

“You can’t just—”

She cackles as my cheeks heat. “Honey, this is one of the perks about being old.”

“Meddling and posting thirst traps?”

“Exactly.”

“It’s disturbing that you even know what a thirst trap is.”

“Honey, you young people might have a different name for it, but the concept isn’t new.” She shrugs. “Besides, the man needs a little spice in his life,”—she throws me an unladylike grin—“unless you’re covered in the spice department.”

I blush furiously because I can’t stop thinking about those orgasms and what he’ll do to me when he gets home.

Then I blush harder because talking with Miss Thelma about my sex life has never been on my radar.

“Good for you.” She nods approvingly. “Took y’all long enough.”

“Not my fault,” I grumble because honestly, at this point, there’s no reason to sugarcoat it.

“I do wish I had seen the showdown with Colt,” she muses and I slide my gaze to her. “Such a missed opportunity.”

“You’re a piece of work, Miss Thelma.”

She shrugs. “He needed a swift kick in the backside and that’s what he got. Nothing I said got through that thick skull of his.”

“Do you think he’s ready now?”

She rocks back and forth in silence for what feels like eternity before finally speaking. “I won’t pretend to know everything that boy has been through”—she pauses, weighing her words—“but I know he’s tired.”

“Tired?” I feel it too but I ask the question anyway.

“Do you remember when they first came here?” I nod because it’s a time that will forever be burned into my brain. “I met Sorren for the first time when I went over to drop off some tomatoes for their Gran. He was sitting on the porch watching Marlee play with her dolls, but when I came up the steps, he stood and put his body between me and his sister. I wasn’t a threat but he didn’t know that. I saw a lifetime flash through his eyes.” She turns and looks at me. “He’s an extraordinary man, but that little boy is still inside him, Rhea.”

“You want me to tell you it’s always been you? I can’t because I never believed I’d ever get here. I never knew I’d be able to deserve you and hell if I still don’t. You forced my hand and now here we are.”

His words echo in my head, and I let my eyelids fall closed to hold off the tears. Mama had told us back then that we needed to show Sorren and Marlee kindness.

Love.

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